Hospice of the Valleys - Thank you for your continued support.

Thank you for your continued support.

As we come to the end of our 30th anniversary celebrations, it is a good time to reflect on our roots, and those roots are embedded in the local community. Most of our staff, our patients and our supporters all come from the local area. Hospice of the Valleys wouldn’t exist if local people hadn’t worked together to start the organisation and it is crucial that we keep the voice of those we support as an intrinsic part of the way we adapt to the challenges moving forward.

The last two years have seen so much change, but for us at the Hospice, nothing changed, we adapted the ways in which we worked to continue supporting our patients and their loved ones, at a time when they needed us the most. We remained at the heart of our community and stepped forward when other services took a step back.

We are here for you, providing Specialist Palliative Care services, including community nursing, an in-reach service to community hospitals, bereavement support, physiotherapy, welfare rights advice, complementary therapy, emotional support and a dedicated service for patients living with a dementia diagnosis.

Phil was shell shocked when diagnosed with Prostate Cancer three years ago, age 44. Not knowing where else to turn, Phil self-referred to the hospice, already aware of the service as his father- in- law had received support. “When I was diagnosed I was unsure where to turn. The hospice helped me understand my diagnosis and then explained the services they could provide to support me and my family” Shortly after Phil’s referral his specialist nurse saw he was suffering from a number of stress induced problems and suggested complementary therapy. “I was sceptical to begin with, but I could soon feel the benefits. My stress levels decreased and my sleep dramatically improved”. Phil received reflexology, massage and aromatherapy he also received these treatments when staying at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan hospital. The treatments improved Phil’s physical and psychological symptoms, allowing him to open up, discussing his fears and anxieties in a safe and relaxed environment. “It was my oasis in life, it was me time and I didn’t get that anywhere else. I would highly recommend having complementary therapies to anyone who is unsure. They have helped me no end and I haven’t looked back since” Phil explained. During Phil’s journey he accessed a variety of the hospice’s services including family support, nursing and therapies. The clinical team worked together providing the support Phil needed. Phil was discharged from the hospice as his symptoms were controlled and stable. Although Phil was anxious about discharge, he worked with the team and knows that should anything change, the hospice is only ever a phone call away.